Despite performance challenges South32 believes it remains on track to achieve the 2017 financial year production guidance set at most of its operations.

In its December 2016 quarterly update, the BHP Billiton spin-off reported that record production was posted at its Brazilian alumina operations, while manganese output was six per cent higher than the previous quarter.

However, South32’s output in other areas, such as thermal coal, coking coal, silver and lead, declined for a variety of operational-related reasons.